Top of page
Skip to main content
Main content

Data Science Major

The Data Science (DATASCI) major is the integration of data science and liberal arts. It equips students with quantitative skills and data analysis techniques while they explore disciplines in the natural sciences, social sciences, or humanities. Currently there are 20 interdisciplinary tracks students can select from.

The DATASCI major is flexible enough students can take quantitative classes (such as statistics, game theory, and experimental methods) and classes in an associated discipline based on your area of interest (such as political science, psychology, neuroscience and behavioral biology, history, and more).  The Data and Decision Sciences Department (𝔻Sci) also has its own interdisciplinary track called the Data Science track which focuses on Machine Learning, experiential learning (such as capstones, internships, etc.).  You can learn more about this major and others by selecting the links to your right.

DATASCI Core Courses

Important: The core course flow shown above applies to all Data Science majors.

Data Science Core Course Flow graphic

Math Prerequisites

MATH 111 and MATH 221 apply to every track of data science major. They must be taken for a letter grade. These courses do not count toward the major GPA but do count toward the 50-credit graduation requirement.

Data Science Electives

DATASCI electives include 300- and 400-level lecture and seminar-style classes that carry at least 3 credit hours. DATASCI 398R, 496R, 497R, and 499R do not fulfill elective requirements.

Please find additional requirements specific to your track below.

DSci Tracks

Download the Artificial Intelligence Track Checklist 

Track Core

  • DATASCI 101 Introduction to Artificial Intelligence
  • DATASCI 260 Computational Methods for Data Science
  • DATASCI 350 Data Science Computing
  • DATASCI 351 AI, Ethics, and Society
  • DATASCI 347 Machine Learning I
  • DATASCI 447 Machine Learning II
  • Complete ONE of the three available Focus Tracks (6 credits):
    • Focus Track A – Causal Inference: DATASCI 345 and 445
    • Focus Track B – NLP: DATASCI 340 and 440 (currently DATASCI 490 Data Science with Text II)
    • Focus Track C – Statistical Theory: DATASCI 365 and 465

DATASCI Electives

  • Complete THREE elective courses at the 300 level or higher (9 credits).
  • DATASCI 398R, 496R, and 499R do not satisfy elective requirements.

Experiential Learning

  • Choose TWO from DATASCI 398R, 495A, 495BW, 496R, 497R, 498R, and 499R. Each course number may be used only once. Non-DATASCI experiential learning courses may be used with departmental approval.

Download the Data Science Track Checklist 

Track Core

  • Complete TWO of the four available Focus Tracks (12 credits):
    • Focus Track A – Machine Learning: DATASCI 347 and 447
    • Focus Track B – Causal Inference: DATASCI 345 and 445
    • Focus Track C – Statistical Theory: DATASCI 365 and 465
    • Focus Track D – Mathematical Modeling: DATASCI 315, 325, or 490: Social Choice Theory

DATASCI Electives

  • Complete FIVE elective courses at the 300 level or higher (15 credits).
  • DATASCI 398R, 496R, 497R, and 499R do not satisfy elective requirements.

Experiential Learning

  • Choose TWO from DATASCI 398R, 495A, 495BW, 496R, 497R, 498R, and 499R. Each course number may be used only once. Non-DATASCI experiential learning courses may be used with departmental approval.

Social Sciences Tracks

Download the Anthropology Track Checklist 

 

Track Electives

  • A total of six courses (3+ credits per course) are required. No more than two courses can be counted at 100-level. One course must be 300-level or higher.
  • Consult track department’s website here for courses designation/acceptability

Download the Biological Anthropology Track Checklist 

Track Core

  • ANT 201 Concepts and Methods in Biological Anthropology
  • ANT 202 Concepts and Methods in Cultural Anthropology

Track Electives

  • Sample one course each from the following topic focus:
    • Human Biology
    • Social Science & Medicine
    • Evolution & Behavior
    • Cultural Anthropology
  • Consult the department website here for course designation/acceptability

Download the Economics Track Checklist 

 
Track Electives

  • A total of six courses (3+ credits per course) are required. No more than two courses can be counted at 100-level. One course must be 300-level or higher.
  • Consult track department’s website here for courses designation/acceptability

Download the International Studies Track Checklist 


Track Core

  • POLS 110 Intro to International Politics
  • POLS 111 Principles of Political Science

Track Electives

  • Track electives: 300+ level courses required
  • Non-POLS course under the International Studies Approved Course List may be used.
  • For the International Studies Approved Course List and other course acceptability, consult the Political Science Department website here

Download the Political Science Track Checklist 


Track Core

  • POLS 111 Principles of Political Science
  • POLS RCH Research classes include RCH/394/494 designated courses

Track Electives

  • Track electives: one 100+ level course required; three 300+ level courses required
  • Consult track department’s website here for courses designation/acceptability

Download the Psychology Track Checklist  

Track Electives

  • A total of six courses (3+ credits per course) are required. No more than two courses can be counted at 100-level. One course must be 300-level or higher.
  • Consult track department’s website here for courses designation/acceptability

Download the Sociology Track Checklist 


Track Electives

  • A total of six courses (3+ credits per course) are required. No more than two courses can be counted at 100-level. One course must be 300-level or higher.
  • Consult track department’s website here for courses designation/acceptability

Download the WGSS Track Checklist 

 

Track Electives

  • A total of six courses (3+ credits per course) are required. No more than two courses can be counted at 100-level. One course must be 300-level or higher.
  • Consult track department’s website here for course designation/acceptability

Natural Sciences Tracks

Download the Biology Track Checklist 

Track Core

  • BIOL 141 & 141L Foundation of Modern Biology I
  • BIOL 142 & 142L Foundation of Modern Biology II
  • CHEM 150 or 202* Structure and Properties or Principles of Relativity
  • PHYS 151 or 152 Physics for Science and Engineering I or II

*AP credit may be substituted for CHEM 150/CHEM 202 or for PHYS 151/PHYS 152.

Track Electives

Choose one of the following tracks. For each track, choose two courses from the approved list.

  • Track 1: Neurobiology
    • BIOL 360 Introduction to Neurobiology, BIOL 450 Computational Neuroscience, BIOL 348 Mechanism of Animal Behavior, or BIOL 385 Neurogenetics
  • Track 2: Ecology and Evolution
    • BIOL 241 Evolutionary Biology, BIOL 247 Ecology, BIOL Disease Ecology, or BIOL 463 Population Biology and Ecology of Disease
  • Track 3: Molecular Biology and Biotechnology
    • BIOL 250 Cell Biology, BIOL 264 Genetics: A Human Perspective, BIOL 285 Phage Genomics and Introduction to Bioinformatics, or BIOL 370 Introduction to Microbiology

Additionally, two biology courses are required as electives. Only one cross-listed course that does not originate in Biology may be counted. All courses accepted as electives for biology majors may be used except BIOL 200 Introduction to Biological Research.

Download the Environmental Sciences Track Checklist  

Track Core

  • ENVS 120 Living in the Anthropocene or ENVS 130 Environmental Sciences or ENVS 140 Environmental Change and Health
  • ENVS 132 Introduction to ENVS Field Studies

Track Electives

  • Sample one course from each of the following topic areas:
    • Ecology & Conservation
    • Earth and Atmospheric Sciences
    • Social Science & Policy
  • Additional courses at the 300 level or higher are required.
  • Consult the Environmental Sciences catalog for course designations and eligibility.

Download the Informatics Track Checklist  

Track Core

  • CS 170 and 171 Introduction to Computer Science I and II
  • CS 224 Foundations of Computer Science
  • CS 253 Data Structures and Algorithms
  • CS 370 Computer Science Practicum
  • CS 377 Database Systems
  • CS 325 Artificial Intelligence

Track Electives

Download the NBB Track Checklist 

Track Core

  • BIOL 141 & 141L and BIOL 142 & 142L Foundations of Modern Biology I and II
  • First-semester chemistry with lab: CHEM 141, 150, 221, 221Z, or 202Z
  • Second-semester chemistry with lab: CHEM 142, 202, 222, 222Z, or 203Z
  • NBB 201 Foundations of Behavior
  • NBB 301/BIOL 360 Introduction to Neurobiology
  • NBB 302/PSYC 353 Behavioral Neuroscience
  • NBB 401 Perspectives in Neuroscience & Behavior or NBB 402 Global Neuro and Behavior

Track Electives

  • Two courses are required as electives.
  • Consult the NBB catalog for approved electives.

Humanities Tracks

Download the Architectural Studies Track Checklist 

Track Core

  • ARTHIST 103 Understanding Architecture or ARTHIST 104 Great Buildings
  • ARTHIST 210 Introduction to Computer Aided Design

Track Electives

  • Track electives: Courses at the 200 level or higher are required.
  • ARTHIST 397 (internship) may not be applied to track requirements.
  • Consult the Art History catalog for Architectural Studies course designations and eligibility.

Download the Art History Track Checklist 

Track Core

  • ARTHIST 101 Art/Arch Prehistory to Renaissance
  • ARTHIST 102 Art/Arch Renaissance to Present

Track Electives

  • Track electives: Courses at the 200 level or higher are required.
  • ARTHIST 397 (internship) may not be applied to track requirements.
  • Consult the Art History catalog for course designations and eligibility.

Download the Classics Track Checklist 

Track Core

  • CL 109 Introduction to Greece & Rome
  • CL 201 The Greeks
  • CL 202 The Romans
  • Complete TWO courses in Greek or Latin (6+ credit hours).

DATASCI Electives

  • Complete THREE courses with the DATASCI prefix at the 300 level or above (9+ credits).
  • DATASCI 398R, 495A, 495BW, 496R, 497R, and 499R do not satisfy elective requirements.

Classics Electives

  • Complete FOUR advanced CL courses at the 200 level or above.
  • Consult the Classics catalog for course designations and eligibility.

Download the East Asian Studies Track Checklist 

Track Electives

  • A total of six courses worth three or more credits each are required. No more than two courses may be counted at the 100 level. One course must be at the 300 level or higher.
  • Sample from at least THREE of the following content areas: Languages and Linguistics; Literature; History and Politics; Cultural Studies; Religion and Thought.
  • Consult the Russian and East Asian Languages and Cultures catalog for the list of designated area courses.

Download the English Track Checklist 

Track Electives

  • All SIX track electives must be at the 200 level or higher.
  • Consult the English catalog for course designations and eligibility.

Download the History Track Checklist 

Track Electives

  • A total of six courses worth three or more credits each are required. No more than two courses may be counted at the 100 level. One course must be at the 300 level or higher.
  • Consult the History catalog for course designations and eligibility.

Download the LACS Track Checklist 

Track Electives

  • A total of six courses worth three or more credits each are required. No more than two courses may be counted at the 100 level. One course must be at the 300 level or higher.
  • Consult the Latin American and Caribbean Studies catalog for course designations and eligibility.

Download the Linguistics Track Checklist 

Track Core

  • LING 101 History of the American Languages
  • LING 201 Foundations of Linguistics
  • LING 210 Sounds of Human Language or LING 212 Structure of Human Language or LING 214 Meaning in Human Language

Track Electives